The Production of Human Reproduction: Impacts of Transhumanism’s Inconsistent Reproductive Policy on Classical Ethical Principles

Abstract

The transhumanist movement is characterized by a shift from the traditional understanding of
 the “created” and “born” human to a “produced” and potentially “immortal” human. This
 article argues that the reproductive policy of transhumanism is inconsistent because, on the
 one hand, firstly, it discredits the implications of reproduction, especially those related to
 women, such as pregnancy, childbirth, and childrearing, which is considered a source of pain
 at every stage. Additionally, it prioritizes adult enhancement in pursuit of immortality, which
 is why it discards producing a new life. On the other hand, the movement utilizes new
 reproductive technologies to enhance human beings, thereby promising and providing
 unlimited individual reproductive freedom in a wide range of contexts. Furthermore, this
 article argues that transhumanism, which moves away from the concept of sexual human
 nature, not only excludes femininity and its associated nature but also converges towards a
 sexless human nature biologically. It also discharges sexuality from the purpose of
 reproduction and reduces it to the purpose of pleasure substantially. The overall attitude of the
 transhumanist context raises significant ethical problems, undermining traditional medical
 ethics and bioethics principles such as nonmaleficence, beneficence, autonomy, justice, and
 human dignity. Moreover, it forces ethical principles to be redefined on a new basis with its
 indifferent attitude that ignores the threat of authoritarian eugenics, neglects reproductive
 responsibility while emphasizing reproductive freedom, and fails to consider the nature of
 contrast-dependency of human values. As a result, new ethical principles must be developed
 to address the implications of this attitude.